Alabama

The White House in Washington is seen through a keyhole in the fence, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, as President Barack Obama continues to decide on a response to the use of chemical weapons in Syria. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

"We're going to run
this to ground to see if we can arrive at something that is enforceable and
serious," Obama told CNN's
Wolf Blitzer in one of six television interviews the president gave in a
day-long media blitz Monday. He also referred to the proposal – which was first
broached (and seemingly scoffed at) by Secretary of State John Kerry before
Russia picked it up as a serious proposal – as a "breakthrough."

Obama and Putin have spoken previously about possibly
securing Syria's chemical weapons at the G-20 Summit in St. Petersburg, the AP
reports.

That solution to the Syrian chemical weapons problem may
turn into a preferred plan if Congress fails to authorize military action in
the war-ravaged country.

Obama acknowledged in interviews
today that there's a chance he could lose a Syria vote. Sen. Majority Leader
Harry Reid delayed a key Syria test vote citing the possibility of a diplomatic
deal with Syria, according to the AP.

Asked what he will do if Congress does fail to authorize a
strike, Obama said "I think it's fair to say that I haven't decided"
on a next step, the AP reported.